Web-roll-conrolling mechanism



Dec. 10, 1929.

H. v. BALL ET AL 1926 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed 001;. 27,

Dec. 10, 1929. v BALL ET AL 1,739,116

WEB ROLL CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 27, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 10, 1929. v, BALL ET AL 1,739,116

WEB ROLL CONTROLLING MECHANISM Filed Oct. 27, 1926 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F'lG.7.--

INVENTDRS f/ l fi fi @0957 Z7 b y /Q M Patented Dec. 10, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HARRY V. BALL, OF CONCORD, MASSACHUSETTS, AND ROBERT D. SMALLEY, OF BROOK- LYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO R. HOE & (10., INCL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPO- RATION OF NEW YORK WEB-ROLL- CONTROLLING MECHANISM Application filed October 27, 1926. Serial No. 144,477. I

This invention relates to electrical control systems and more particularly to electrical 'momentum upon such sudden stopping of control systems for use in automatically controlling the operation of web roll feeding mechanism for print-in machines.

In modern high speed printing press operation in which a Web is fed continuously to the press from rolls, it frequently happens that a press is suddenly stopped because of the breaking of a web or some other emergency which makes it necessary to discontinue the operation of'the press. On such occasions the momentum of the web rolls causes a considerable unwinding of the web before the roll comes to a stop due to the momentum of the running roll.

In web feeding mechanisms, furthermore,

It is a main feature of'this invention to provide an electrically controlled arrangement whereby the movable support may be automatically moved in response to the stopping'of the press in a direction opposite to the run of the web to take up any web which may unwind from the running roll due to its the press, and to provide for the returning of the support tonormal running position when the press is again started up.

It is a further feature to utilize the dynamic brake current generated by the main press motor to automatically govern the distance the support is so moved in one direction.

Additional features reside in the provision of both automatic and manual control for the motor which rotates the support, and for automatically limiting the distance the support is moved in reverse direction.

With these and other objects not specifically referred to, the invention consists in certain novel parts, arrangements and combinations which will be fully described in ing the position the supporttoccupies when the press has been suddenly stopped because of some emergency;

Figure 3 shows the position to which the support is moved by its motor when it is desired to unite a spare roll and the nearly exhausted running web;

Figure 4 is a partial side view showing'the ends of the roll supporting arms and the manner of mounting the safety switches;

Figure 5 is a front view showing the construction ofFig. 4, and the closed position of the safety switch;

Figure 6 is apartial front View showing the safety switch in a different position from that shown in Fig. 5, and

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic view of the electrical control system.

Referring now to these drawings, the invention has been illustrated in connection with a roll support capacitated to hold two rolls, a running roll indicated by the letter R and a spare roll indicated by the letter S. The roll support, of course, may take widely different forms. In the particular form i1- lustrated, the roll support is a rotary support in the form of a pair of straight arms, one of which is shown marked 1, centrally mounted on each end of a shaft 2. The ends of these arms are provided with bearings 3, 4, in which are supported the running roll R and the spare roll S. These arms, it will be observed, extend to each side of the shaft 2;

Theweb X is fed from the roll R, under control of suitable friction devices, as belts 6, to the press (not shown) through the usual draw-off rolls 7 and 8. These rolls R and spring locking handles 11.

Means are provided for rotating the support and they preferably comprise a motor 12 having a shunt field 43 permanently connected across lines 22 and 25 and driving, by any suitable connections, a shaft 13 having thereon a worm 14 meshing with and driving gear 15 keyed to shaft 2. Motor 12 in turn is controlled by novel circuit arrangements including relays 35, 37 and 39, as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

i he main press motor 20 (Fig. 7) is operated by a manually controlled switch 21, on the closing of which a circuit is completed from a suitable sourceof current (not shown). on main line conductor 22, through switch 21,

' a solenoid 23, conductor 24, to the opposite side of the current source on line 25. The energization of solenoid 23 moves arm 26, under the control of a dash-pot 27, to complete a circuit for starting the press motor 20, which circuit extends from the line 22, conductor 28, arm 26, through the various contacts in succession of a rheostat 29, through armature of motor 20, through its series field to the other side of the current source over the conductors 24 and 25. Motor 20, whose shunt field 31, it will be noticed, is permanently connected across lines 22 and 25, rotates, driving the press, the web of roll B, shown in runningposition in Fig. 1, feeding while the press is running.

Assuming that both rolls Rand Sare in place, as shown in Fig. 1, and that all the safety switches 34, hereinafter more fully referred to, are closed, the motor 26 will continue in operation under the control of the circuits above described. If, now, the web breaks or any other emergency arises necessitating shutting downof the press, the main press motor is cut out but the web roll tends' to continue rotating due to its. momentum, thus unwinding the web. Means are provided for taking up this slack web, and'one form of such means will now be described.

Referring to Fig. 7, switch 21 is opened to stop the .motor, either manually or by means of a sheet detector and circuit therefor, not shown. This switch cuts 03 the current supply to motor 20 but, because its shunt field 31, asabove mentioned, is permanently connected across the line, the motor will become a generator during its deceleration. The opening of switch 21 de-energizes solenoid 23, and this efiects, through contacts 23', the closing of a circuit, which includes the winding of a relay 33 and a dynamic brake resistance 32. As long as motor 20 continues to operate, therefore, relay 33 will remain ,energized. The operation of this relay controls the clockfwise rotation of the support 1, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in order to take up the slack of the web X, above" mentioned. For tires pur pose, motor 12 must be energized to rotate in the proper direction. A circuit may be traced from line 22, through the contacts of relay 33,

7 through the contacts of each of the safety tor 12 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, upper contacts 35 of relay 35 to line wire 25. Motor 12 is then rotating in a clockwise direction and drives, through shaft 13, worm 14 and gear 15, the support 1 carrying the rolls in a clockwise direction, i. e., to the right in Fig. 1, thus taking up any slack in the webX.

It will be noted that there is keyed to shaft 2 to rotate therewith, a cam member 45 having two oppositely located shoulders 45, 45". A cam roller 44 rides upon the periphery of the cam and is adapted to close and open alimit switch 36' (hereinafter more definitely referred to). In the particular arrangement shown, the switch 36 is automatically maintained opened when the roller 44 engages the shoulders of cam 45 and automaticallyclosed in the other positions of the roller. Furthermore, cam 45 is so positioned support is in its normal running position, as

shown in Fig. 1, roller 44 is on one of the I shoulders of the cam.

As support 1 is rotated from its normal po sition (see Fig. 2), the cam roller moves oil one of the shoulders of cam 45. Roller 44 thereupon automatically causes the closure of the limit switch 36, for a purpose which will presently appear.

' As soon as the main press motor 20 has come to rest, relay 33 de-energizes, opening the energizin circuit of relay 35 which, in turn, opens t e circuit to motor 12 and the rotation of the support ceases. When 1t is desired to resume theloperation of the press, after the emergency condition is remedied, switch 21 is again closed, energizing the solenoid 23. When arm 26 makes contact with the first contact of rheostat 29 it also contacts with a plate 38 mounted inside of the row of contact buttons. A circuit is completed from line 22, through line 28 and contact arm 26, contact plate 38, winding ofrelay 37, through the cam operated limit switch 36 mounted on the support arm 1, to line 25. It will be remembered that this limit switch 36 is automatically closed when the support is rotated from its normal runan energizing circuit for relay 39 which circuit is traceable from line 22 through the contacts of relay 37 and through thewinding of relay 39 to line 25. Relay 39, upon energizing, opens its lower contacts 39 and closes its upper contacts 39", thereby reversing the flow of current through motor 12. Current then flows in the direction indicated by the arrow B from line 22, through resistances 42 and 41, lower contacts of relay 35, armature of motor 12, upper contacts 39 of relay 39 to line 25. Motor 12 is thus rotated in the opposite direction, causing the support. 1 to turn back counter-clockwise toward the position shown in Fig. 1. The motor will continue to operate in this manner until one of the projections on cam 45 engages arm 44 to open limit switch 36. The opening of this switch de-energizes relay 37 and consequently relay 39 controlling motor 12. Support 1 is therefore brought to rest automatically in its normal running position and the web may be fed to the press as usual.

Provision has been made for rotating the support 1 in either direction at the will of the operator whenever it is necessary to load a new roll or to paste the new roll onto the expiiing roll, as shown for example in Fig. 3.

conveniently arranged and control the circuits of the relays 39 and 35, thus permitting rotation of the support in a counter-clockwise direction under the control of push button 46, or in a clockwise direction under the control of push button 47.

In machines embodying the best form of the invention, means will be provided by which the roll support cannot be moved unless the roll is properly positioned in the supporting arms. While these means may vary, in the particular construction shown, the safety switches 34 may be employed, two of these switches being employed for each roll. As shown, the cones 9, 10, before referred to, which support the roll, are operated by operating arm 75, which is held in locked position by means of a spring lock 76 controlled by the handle 11, before re; ferred to. This arm 75 carries a hub 77 secured on a stud 78 journaled in the arms of the roll support. This stud carries a gear 79 which meshes with a rack frame 80 by which the cones 9,10 are moved into and out 1 of operative position with respect to the roll. This hub also has secured thereto a cam plate 81 having a cam nose 82, with which cooperates a roll 83 on the operating arm 84 of the switch. It will be observed that in its normal operation the switch is positioned so as to close the circuit and permit the operation of the support driving motor 12, the parts then being in position shown at the left in Fig. 5. When, however, the arm 75 is operated to withdraw the cones to the position shown in pair of push buttons 46 and 47 are' Fig. 6, the roll 83 engages the high part of the cam 81, thereby operating a switch which opens a circuit to motor 12, so that this motor cannot operate until the same has been moved into engagement with the roll, which takes place when the operating arm 75 has been turned to fully position the cones in the roll spindle.

The control arrangement herein selected to illustrate the invention is arranged for use with direct current, but it will be understood that as to the main features of the invention the control is equally applicable for use with alternating current and, while the invention has been illustrated and described in its preferred form, it will be understood that various changes may be made in the arrangements and devices used in carrying out the invention and that the invention is, there- 1. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of meansfor supporting a web roll while unwinding,

electrically operated means for driving thev press, and means under the control of the driving means for eifecting a movement of the web roll to take up slack in the web upon the stoppage of the press.

2. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding, and electrically controlled mechanism operating irrespective of manual control to effect a movement of the web roll in a direction opposite to that taken by theunwinding web for taking up slack in the web upon the stoppage of the press.

3. In a Web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding, electrically operated means for driving the press, and electrically operated means under the control of the driving means for effecting a movement of the web roll to take up slack in the web upon the stoppage of the press.

4. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding, electrically operated means for effecting a movement of the web roll to take up slack in the web upon the sudden stoppage of the press, and means for automatically effecting a reverse movement of the web roll upon the restarting of the press.

5. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding, electrically operated means for effecting a movement of the web roll to take up slack in the web upon the sudden stoppage of the press, means for automatically effecting a reverse movement of the web roll upon the I restarting of the press, and means for limiting the return movement of the roll.

6. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding,

an electricmotor for driving the press, elec-' .trically operated means under the control of the driving motor for effecting a movement of the web roll to take up slack in the web upon thesudden stoppage of the press, and electrically operated means for automatically eifecting a reverse movement of the web roll upon the restarting of the press.

7. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding,

an electric motor for driving the press, electricall'y operated means under the control of the driving motor for effecting a movement of the web roll to takeup slack in the web upon the sudden stoppage of thepress, electrically operated means for automatically ef fecting a reverse movement of the web roll upon the restarting of the press, and means for limiting the return movement of the roll. 8. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of means for supporting a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, means whereby the driving motor on deceleration acts as a generator, and connections whereb the current thus generated by the motor e fects a movement of the web roll to take up slack in the web upon the stoppage of the press.

9. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combmation of a movable support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for drivin the press, and a motor under the control 0 the press motor for moving the support to take up slack in the web upon sudden stoppage of the press. I 10. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the: combination of a movable support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, a motor for moving the support, and connections whefiby the motor automatically moves the support in'one direction to take up slack in the web upon the stoppage of the press and automatically eflects a reverse movement of the support upon the restarting of the press.

11. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a mov able support for supporting 'a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, a motor for moving thesupport controlled by the press motor, and means whereby the support motor may be automatically operated by the driving motor or may be manually operated independently thereof.

12. In a web controllin mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a movunwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, a motor for moving the support, means whereby the support motor may be automatically operated by the driving motor or may be manually operated independently thereof, and means wherebythe support motor may act automatically to move the support in one direction upon the stoppage of the press and in the reverse direction upon the restarting of the press. 4

13. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a movable support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, a motor for moving the support, means whereby the support motor may be automatically operated by the driving motor or may be manually operated independently thereof, means whereby the support motormay act automatically to move the support in one direction upon the stoppage of the press and in the reverse direction upon the restarting of the press, and manual controls for operating the support motor in either direction.

14. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a rotary support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, electrically operated means for driving the press, and electrically operated means under the control of the press motor for effecting a rotation of the support upon the stoppage of the press to take up slack in the web.

15. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a rotary support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, electrically operated means for driving the press, electrically operated means under the control of the press motor for effecting a rotation of the support upon the stoppage of the press to take up slack in the web, and means for automatically effecting a reverse rotation of the support upon the restarting of the press. a

16. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a rotary support for supporting a web roll while unwindipg, electrically operated means for driving the press, electrically operated means under the control of the press motor for ef-. fecting a rotation .of the support upon the stoppage of the press to take up slack in the web, means for automatically eflecting a reverse rotation of the support upon the restarting of the press, and means for'limiting gthe return movement of the support.

17. In a web controlling mechanism for rinting presses, the cbmbination o-f .me ans or supporting a web roll while unwinding,

an electric motor for driving the press, a second motor for rotating the support to take up slack in the web upon stoppage, of the press and automatically rotating the support in the reverse direction upon the restarting of the driving motor, and a limit switch actuated by the rotation of the support for controllin the operation of the second motor.

18. n a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a movable support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, a second motor controlled by the driving motor for automatically effecting a move ment of the roll support in either direction, and means for preventing the operation of the second motor until the roll is positioned in the support.

19. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a movable support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, a second motor controlled by the driving motor for automatically effecting a movement of the roll support in either direction, and safety switches controlled by the support for preventing. the operation of the second motor until the web roll is in position in the support.

20. In a web controlling mechanism for printing preses, the combination of a movable support for supporting a web roll while unwinding, an electric motor for driving the press, a second electric motor for effecting a movement of the roll support in either direction, safety switches carried by the support, means for positioning a roll in the support,

means for locking the positioning means, and

safety switches for preventing the operation of the second motor until the positioning means are moved into locked position.

21. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a movable support for a web roll while it is unwinding, electrically controlled mechanism operating irrespective of manual control to move said support into running position and away from running position to take up slack inthe web on stoppage if the press, and means to positively control the amount of movement of the support.

22. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, thecombination of a driving motor, a running webroll feeding into said press, a rotary support for supporting the said web roll, means to rotate said support into feeding position, and means controlled by the driving motor to rotate said support away from feeding position to take up slack in the web upon the stoppage of said driving motor.

23. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a running web roll, a rotary support for said Web roll, a press motor, means to rotate said support into running position, a motor to rotate said support away from running position to take up the slack in said web, circuits to operate said motor, and means operative upon the stoppage of said press motor to cause said support motor to automatically operate.

24. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a movable support therefor, a motor for moving said support, a motor for driving the ress, and electrical connections controlled y the press motor comprising circuits and relays for energizing said first motor upon stoppage of said press motor to take up slack in the web.

25. In a. web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a driving motor, a Web roll, a movable support for supporting said web roll, a circuit for the normal operation of said motor, a second circuit including a relay for said motor, means to close said second circuit upon the opening of said first circuit, and means under the control of said relay for moving the support to take up slack in the web on stoppage of the driving motor.

26. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a driving motor for driving the press, a web roll, a movable support for supporting said web roll, a circuit for the .normal operation of said motor, a second circuit including a relay for said motor, means to close said second circuit upon the opening of said first circuit, means under the control of said relay for moving the support in one direction out of normal running position, and means operative upon the restarting of said press motor to move said support back into normal running position.

27. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support for the roll, a motor, means for rotating said support under the control of said motor, a motor for driving the press, an energizing circuit for said motor, means operative upon the opening of said circuit to close a second circuit to said motor, a relay in said second circuit operated by the dynamic brake current produced bysaid motor, and means under the control of said relay for energizing said support rotating motor.

28. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support for the roll, a motor for rotating saidsupport, a motor for driving the press, an energizing circuit for said press motor, a second circuit for said motor, means to control the opening and closing of said first circuit, means responsive to the opening of said first circuit to close said second circuit, [and means controlled by said second circuit to energize said support rotating motor to take up slack in the web on stoppage of the press motor.

29. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support for the roll, a motor for rotating said support, a motor. fordriving the press, means operative upon the de-energ1zat1on of said motor to run said motor as a generator under the control of the press, and means under the control of the dynamic brake current of the generator for driving said support motor.

30. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a Web roll, a support for the roll, a motor for rotating said support, a motor for driving the V press, an energizing circuit for said motor, means to open said energlzlng circuit to stop said press, a circuit automatically closed upon the ,openin of the energizing circuit and through whlch flows the dynamic brake current generated by said motor, and means under the control of said current for energizing said support rotating motor upon the closure of said second circuit and for de-energizing said support rotatingmotor upon the cessation of flow of said current.

i 31. In a Web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support for tlfe roll, a motor for rotating said support, a motor for driving the press, an energizing circuit for said motor, means operative upon the opening of said circuit to close a second circuit to said motor, a relay in said second circuit operated by the dynamic brake current of said motor, a second relay, and means under control of said first relay to cause said second relay to entergize said support rotating motor.

32. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a driving motor for the press, a web roll, a support for supporting the roll, means to rotate said support to position said web for'feeding to the press, means to rotate said support out of said feeding position to take up the slack upon the stoppage of the press, and means to automatically limit the distance said support is rotated.

33. In a web controllin mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support for said web roll, a motor for driving the press, means under the control of said motor to rotate said support into position to feed the web into the press, and automatic means to stop said support in feeding position.

34. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support therefor, means to rotate said support to position said web for feeding to the press, means to rotate said support out of said feeding position to take up the slack upon the stoppage of said press, and means operative 'upon the rotation of said support to position a controlling means for rotating said su port in the reverse direction upon the restartmg of said press.

35. In a Web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a su "port for said web roll, a motor for driving t e (plress, means to rotate said su port inone 'rection to take up the slackm said web, means to operate said motor, means operative on the stoppage of said motoroperating means to cause said support rotating means to function, means to rotate said support in reverse direction upon the resumption of operation of said press motor, and means to limit the extent of rotation of said support.

36. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a Web roll, a support for said web roll, a motor for driving the press, means to rotate said support in one direction to take up the slack in said web, means to operate said motor, means operative upon the stoppage of said motoroperating means to cause said support rotating means to function, means torotate said support in a reverse direction upon the resumption of operation of said press motor, means to limit-the extent of rotation of said support, and means to prevent the rotation of said support until a web roll is loaded on said support.

37. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses, the combination of a web roll, a support for said web roll, a motor for driving the press, means to rotate'said support in one direction to take up the slack in said web, means to operate said motor, means operative upon the stoppage of said motor-operating means to cause said support rotating means to function, means to rotate said support in a reverse direction upon the resumption of -operation of said press motor,

means to limit the extent of rotation of saidsupport, and means to prevent the rotation of said support when a web roll is loaded on said support, comprising a plurality of switches mounted at the ends of the roll.

38. In a web controlling mechanism for printing presses the combination of a driving motor for the press, a Web roll, a support for supporting said web roll, means to start said motor, means to stop said motor, means controlled by said motor to rotate said support in one direction to take up the web slack, and means to rotate said support in our hands.

HARRY V. BALL. ROBERT D. SMALLEY. 

